5 lessons of management and leadership we can learn in La Casa de Papel

You’ve probably heard about the Netflix series “La Casa de Papel”. The argument is simple but bold: eight thieves lock themselves in the Royal Spanish Mint, making several hostages, with the aim of making history’s greatest robbery. This series brings us many management and leadership tips that we can apply to our day-to-day professional life. In today’s article, we present the 5 lessons of management and leadership that we can learn from La Casa de Papel.

Know how to deal with different personalities

A good leader has to be able to deal with different personalities and not let personal characteristics interfere with business. In the series, the leader is represented by the mysterious Profesor, who manages to win the trust of all through his intelligence and ability to anticipate problems. We can also observe that the teacher has another very important characteristic in leaders: the ability to motivate others. Also in companies it is essential that those at the top know how to motivate their employees, since only then will they be able to fulfill the overall objectives of the organization.

Careful planning

In the series, we can see that the whole assault was planned down to the smallest detail. The Professor not only plans all his actions, but also anticipates scenarios and thinks about possible solutions. In the business world, it is vital that the manager make careful and studied planning of the market and the actions that your company will develop. You should also be prepared for possible situations that could compromise the success of the business.

Training is essential for good execution

In the series, the robbers spent a lot of time training to do their best at the moment of the robbery. Everyone knew what to do and everyone spent many hours simulating situations that might happen at the Mint. In an enterprise environment, managers must experiment and hone processes, until they achieve maximum perfection in the execution of tasks. The training of employees in a work context is a very important point for the fulfillment of the objectives of the company.

Humans can go wrong

Despite all the planning, all the training hours and all the predictions, people can go wrong and things cannot go the way we had planned. Accepting this is inevitable so as not to discourage employees. Every failure in a company should be seen as a way of learning, because only then can you evolve and train better professionals!

Study your opponents well

Sun Tzu said: “Know your enemy as yourself and do not need to fear the outcome of a hundred battles.” This phrase is very important in the business world. As the Professor has studied the police team and the Mint workers well, managers must know their competitors very well, because only then will they know how to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive advantage.

The importance of technological convergence for companies

In an increasingly digital world, technological advances have a direct impact on the way companies do business, and companies need to act to keep up with the latest information technology. Technological convergence is increasingly important to unify processes, tools, methods and diverse sectors. In today’s article, we talk about the importance of technological convergence for companies!

What is technological convergence?

Technological convergence is an increasing trend in the economic environment. This concept represents the union of the different services that share the same structure among themselves. The goal is to meet customer needs and anticipate trends. A good example that everyone uses is the smartphone. In one device you can use camera, electronic calendar, alarm clock, television, GPS, internet, among many other things. In the business world, this convergence translates into technological tools that give the possibility to gather on a platform with all the communication services, such as telephones, emails, support, production processes and logistics, among others. This means that companies can use a tool to simplify the use of IT solutions, offer employees more flexibility and reduce the cost of operations and automate tasks. Both internal and external teams can work from anywhere because of the mobility that cloud systems provide. Technology convergence proves to be an important ally to achieve business objectives.

Main innovations that integrate technological convergence

  • Big Data: in this field, business monitoring software such as Multipeers play a very important role, since in a single dashboard manager can access all company information from the most diverse data sources.

  • Artificial Intelligence: artificial intelligence helps companies prevent fraud, analyze customer behavior, and is very important to analyze and monitor the requirements of the target audience.

  • Business Intelligence: Business intelligence is a very powerful tool and is increasingly used by all business segments as it provides integration and reading of various data sources. Business intelligence also helps identify trends and market variations, which is essential to maintaining competitiveness.

  • Internet of Things: this concept interconnects equipment, business and people, allowing the crossing of the data in a matter of seconds. All sectors can take advantage and technological convergence to the business from the internet of things.

  • Image recognition: Identifying citizens through facial recognition is not new, but this recognition is nowadays held in many physical stores. Thus, it is possible to check what articles the person liked the most, to know if they tried clothes, to know their behavior in the store, among other things.

  • Voice services: a number of Google services, for example, can be activated through voice commands, doing surveys, and helping the consumer decide. It is a growing technology and professionals in this area work daily to improve its operation.

Advantages of technological convergence for companies

The main advantages of using this trend for companies are: greater capacity for innovation, greater control over all company processes, increased productivity, increased security and better treatment and storage of data.

Do you know what Fog Computing is?

Storage methods evolve daily, with the goal of becoming more dynamic and efficient. After Cloud Computing comes the term Fog Computing, a differential factor to apply with the concept of Internet of Things. With this new technology, much has been researched on the methods of correctly performing the process and treatment of all the generated data. Fog Computing plays a very important role in this process and in today’s article we will explain everything about this new method of storage!

What is Fog Computing?

Imagine a smart city where there is a smart traffic camera that detects the pattern of lights from an ambulance and immediately sends that information to the traffic lights so they can be opened so the ambulance can pass. If this information has to be processed and sent to the Cloud and then sent to the semaphore, there is a waste of time that can be crucial. Fog Computing is about saving traffic and sending time to the cloud, making it possible to directly process the equipment, without the need to send information to the Cloud.

Fog Computing works in the same way as Cloud, but is closer to users and equipment, speeding up processes and reducing network traffic, especially in environments that don’t have high bandwidth. Fog Computing mainly facilitates the processing of the Internet data of Things. Fog Computing aims to increase the capacity of the computer and storage in the cloud across the network. Fog Computing is an intermediate layer between Cloud and hardware, which enables more efficient processing, analysis and storage of data.

Fog Computing and Internet of Things

According to the Business Insider, by 2021 almost 6 trillion dollars will be invested in the global marketplace in Internet of Things. This means that if these numbers happen, the current Cloud Computing systems will not be able to handle the full volume of data, and it is necessary to use add-ins. And that’s where Fog Computing comes in. In this new reality, it is necessary to establish processes that precede Cloud Computing, that manage and analyze the environment so that they store what is really necessary and important, so that there are quicker answers to certain questions.

 

Fog Computing offers a combination of increased computing power, increased storage capacity and services on the network and intends to address and resolve any limitations of Cloud Computing. Basically, the great goal of this term that is now emerging is to deal with the data that is created on a daily basis.

5 Tips for Implementing Digital Transformation Correctly

Digital transformation in business is increasingly a necessity and is no longer seen as just a fashion trend. Nowadays, a company that doesn’t exist online is almost as if it didn’t exist and is easily surpassed by the competition. Digital technologies have redefined the way companies do business, changed how we relate to customers and how we communicate. Forrester research reveals that large business owners expect 47% of total sales to be influenced by digital media by 2020. In today’s article, we leave you 5 tips for implementing digital transformation in right way!

Redefine your business

Digital transformation is much more than just including technology in every company process. Digital transformation is a change that affects all areas of the business and requires cultural change, which can only be achieved if employees are willing to change. It is important to analyze the market of your company and define a strategy for the future, identifying potential threats and opportunities, adapting the whole company’s performance.

Involve the whole team

Even if there is a person responsible for the process of digital transformation, it is very important that you involve all employees in this change, because only then you will have their support and commitment. Communication between all departments is essential if digital transformation is to be implemented correctly.

Stay up-to-date

When a company decides to invest in digital transformation, it must be aware that it is necessary to be constantly updated on technological trends and innovations. Artificial intelligence is the biggest trend for the next few years, according to a Gartner study released in 2016. It is believed that more and more the customer relationship through digital means will be done using chatbots. Using cloud storage is another big trend. According to a survey by IDC, by 2020 about 67% of software spending will be related to cloud storage tools.

Get expert help

The shift from an analog paradigm to a digital paradigm can be quite complex for companies that don’t have the experience they need. In these situations, it is advisable to hire external support. Specialized companies have more experience and more technical knowledge on the subject and will be more prepared to face the challenges that have come up along the way. However, you have to evaluate the costs: adopting a ready-to-use solution will certainly cost less than developing the tool internally. On the other hand, it is essential to know all the needs of the company, because existing solutions may not be able to meet all the requirements of your company.

Always work with goals

Following the market trend is very positive, but it can be detrimental if you don’t know what your business objectives are with the adoption of digital transformation. It is important that you know your goals well and that they are specific, realistic and measurable, because only then can they be achieved. Digital transformation can help you achieve a wide range of goals: win new customers, retain current customers, optimize team performance, and more.

The importance of technology in team management

Managing a team and having effective communication between all members is not an easy task. Technology plays a very important role in this area as it helps to reduce communication noise, encourages good communication among all, and reduces costs. In today’s article we will address the importance of technology in team management!

How does technology improve team management?

Using the right technology allows employees to stay productive and connected throughout the day. The right tools help to define priorities and track tasks, as well as manage relationships within the team, avoiding conflicts and minimizing communication errors. Using software and applications, managers are able to communicate more easily their strategy and objectives and define KPIs for employees.

There are several tools that help managers communicate more effectively with their team. Let’s find our top 4!

Instant Messaging Tools

Tools like Skype and WhatsApp are very important for team members to keep in touch and to communicate with each other. Although these applications are used for professional purposes, they are also important for creating cohesion and linkage between the group.

Video conference

This tool is very useful for group meetings and allows even the team members who are far away to participate in the meeting. The manager can share presentations and reports with all participants. In addition, videoconferencing helps reduce travel and accommodation costs and helps reduce lost productivity.

Cloud

Cloud storage is already seen as a competitive strategy that responds to the needs of small, medium and large companies. Companies like Google and Microsoft provide servers where files are stored the same way if they are stored on a computer or mobile device. Files are stored for miles, but over the Internet, through a login and password, you can connect to your account and access all of your files. This facilitates sharing of documents by all members of a team.

BAM tools for real-time data analysis

The business world is increasingly accelerated and it is essential that a manager knows, at every moment, what is happening in the company. Analyzing reports with a few days means to have a reactive action to the events, which can bring losses to the company. Thus, real-time data analysis is increasingly essential in the business world. Multipeers is a BAM system that allows you to analyze the business to the minute, through a platform where all the information of the company, from the diverse sources of data is found. This allows for faster, more effective decision-making and an in-depth knowledge of each employee’s work.

Find the relationship between data analysis and marketing management

Companies generate more and more data in their daily lives, but more important than quantity is the ability to analyze the information generated. There is currently 5 times more information than in 1987, and one of the biggest challenges for companies is to analyze data effectively so they can make decisions on the basis of reliable facts. Marketing management is one of the areas that can most benefit from the correct management of information. In today’s article, let’s talk about the relationship between data analysis and marketing management!

Create reports frequently

Data analysis should be done on a constant basis so that decisions are made on the basis of current information. Many companies make weekly reports and when they find the information this already has a few days. Ideally, you should create short, relevant and easy-to-read reports. Multipeers allows you to create simple reports, in which all users perceive information and analysis outputs. This change will positively impact the marketing actions, which will be much more controlled and effective.

To know what you want to analyze

The data are irrelevant if we don’t know what we need to do with them. It is essential to define the key metrics for analysis and to evaluate often whether the metrics we are analyzing still make sense to the business. Today, business happens at a very dynamic pace and this causes constant change. Analyzing data effectively allows us to offer better customer service because we will be more aware of what our target really need.

Customize user experience

Nowadays, the consumer is more and more demanding and it is essential to create a unique experience for each one of them. This task is only possible based on data analysis. Netflix is ​​a good example in this industry because it suggests movies and series according to the preferences and habits of each user. If you know your customer well, you will be able to provide a differentiated service and data analysis is essential in this chapter.

Real-time data analysis

Nowadays, it is no longer enough to analyze the data after a week of situations occur. Everything happens at a very fast pace and it is imperative that you analyze the data at the moment they happen. Multipeers allows you to analyze the data in real time and alerts you to situations that go beyond what was previously established as normal. Let’s imagine that you own a chair of fashion accessories and that you want every day until midday to sell X. If one day the value is outside your normal standard, Multipeers alerts you immediately so you can take actions such as launching a promotional campaign for that day.

Invest time in data analysis

Data is generated and often organized into reports that no one reads. In this case, the data loses its purpose and the organization loses the opportunity to have better results. It is very important that the marketing manager dedicates part of his time to analyzing the information, since only then it’s possible to create relevant strategies for the company.

Big Data and Human Resource Management: Find the Relationship

Companies are constantly looking to make the most of their data so they can make the best decisions for the business. Big Data is an increasingly popular term as companies look for solutions that enable them to manage information and gain the best insights. The area of ​​human resources has paid close attention to this giant wave of information that is created daily in companies. A study by Workday reports that over the next 5 years the use of analytical technologies over large volumes of data will have a major impact on human resource management. In today’s article, we address the relationship between Big Data and human resource management!

Understanding people’s attitudes

People Analytics is a term that will be very fashionable in the coming years. People Analytics is the process of collecting, organizing and analyzing employee behavior data in order to contribute to decisions made in the company, anticipating trends and adjusting strategies. “When we use data to understand the behaviors within the work environment that make people efficient, happy, creative, experts, leaders, followers, we are using People Analytics,” said Ben Waber, CEO of Humanyze. It is very important to use this form of analysis to obtain information about productivity declines, reduced employee engagement, and difficulty retaining the best talent. With the use of analysis tools in human resource management it becomes simpler to analyze behaviors, understand why people act in a certain way, and take corrective action before it is too late.

Delete high team turnover

Many companies face the challenge of seeing their teams change multiple times in a short period of time. Without realizing why, they are not able to retain the best talent, which means that there is little stability. By analyzing the data, it is possible to get to know each employees better and help them to feel good in the workplace, thus avoiding his exit. It is important to know the motivations, long-term desires and opinions of the employees, since only in this way the management positions will be able to create a pleasant environment where each employee feels good.

Smarter recruitment processes

Big Data in human resource management is a key factor in finding the right people for the right jobs. For example, through Big Data you can find out if people who have an interesting work experience are more likely to stay in the company for long periods of time or if the duration of previous experiences impacts on the performance of the current job. Based on these results, the company can focus on the most relevant factors at the time of recruitment.

Performance evaluation

Big Data helps ensure that employee performance is measured more accurately by determining what times of the day the company has the best productivity rates. You can also identify which collaborators perform best.

 

Multipeers is a business monitiring system that helps you analyze the huge amount of information that is generated daily in your organization. Through simple dashboards, you can instantly see where your business is and act immediately to get the best results possible!

The importance of technology in financial management

Financial management is one of the most important areas in a company. It is essential that managers have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the expenses that happen in their business, so as to know how much they can invest in the future. The information flow that exists in companies today is huge, so it is imperative that companies adopt technological solutions appropriate to the specifics of their business, so that they can take full advantage of the help that technology provides us. In today’s article, we will address the importance of technology in financial management!

Centralization of information

The sharing of information on the Internet, namely in the Cloud, allows all employees to have access to the same document, facilitating their consultation and editing. However, ERPs are very complete resources that interconnect all sectors of the company, computerizing the data and automating the processes. To complete the ERP solution, technology provides us with another solution: the BAM system. Softwares like Multipeers allow information coming from all the company’s data sources to be consulted on a single dashboard and in real time, which will facilitate decision making!

More efficient decision making

With a system that generates reports simply and quickly, it becomes much easier to make strategic decisions. Often, bad decisions happen because managers don’t have a real knowledge of what actually goes on in the company. With the use of technology, the information becomes more accessible and the decisions taken will be more assertive.

Mobility: an ally of good management

Managers spend some time outside the company at events and meetings. If this was a problem before, due to the technology, everything was solved. For example, Multipeers lets you, in addition to being able to query information on mobile devices, set business alerts for certain actions. For example, if you have a chain of stores and you want to be alerted whenever the middle of the day has not made X sales value, Multipeers will alert you by SMS or email so you can, regardless of where you are, act immediately.

More effective data communication

Technology has improved communication, as there are more and more systems to transmit information, from e-mails, various softwares, cloud solutions, among others. Internal communication benefits greatly from the correct use of technology, but there have also been significant improvements in communication with banking institutions, since it is now possible to make transfers and consult balances and movements anywhere, from a mobile device.

Increased productivity

With more efficient software, process automation happens more easily, which means that every employee can devote himself to tasks that really need the utmost attention. The end result, in the medium and long term, will be an increase in overall productivity, which will be reflected in the company’s profits.

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Business

Starting a business of your own is a goal for many people, but you have to keep in mind that having a company requires dedication, planning and facing constant challenges. The temptation to start your own business is great, as it is becoming easier nowadays because of the simple tools that help entrepreneurs put their ideas on the ground. In today’s article, let’s talk about the top mistakes to avoid in setting up a company!

Not knowing the market where you want to act

Often entrepreneurs are so convinced that their idea is perfect that they don’t do an exhaustive market study to assess the competition or to see if consumers in fact need the product or service they want to sell. However, if there is not a need of your product, there is no point in starting a business. Thus, studying the market well in order to know all its particularities is essential to have a successful company in the short and long term.

To think that you can do everything by yourself

Even if you think you can do it all yourself, you are advised to surround yourself with a trusted team. Business can grow faster than you think and you will need support to respond to all requests. Likewise, if things don’t go so well, it’s better to have a team that helps you to deal with the difficulties because if you are alone you may feel discouraged and give up.

Too high investment

Even if you have studied the market and all the predictions are that your business will succeed in a short time, you shouldn’t invest more than what is strictly necessary at an early stage. The additional costs should be reduced as much as possible and investments should be made according to the commercial evolution of the product and not on the basis of future profit forecasts. Very high investments at an embryonic stage of the project are the main causes of business bankruptcy in a short period of time after starting a business.

Do not invest in communication from the first moment

Many entrepreneurs think that communication is only important from the moment the company starts to grow. However, this is an area of ​​the company that you should pay attention to from the beginning, because it is essential that the market knows that you arrived and that you are there to win. Pay particular attention to the name of your brand and the logo that illustrates it because they are the first elements that contact the public and should be coherent and differentiating. Having a good website and a strong presence on social media is imperative on these days and you should invest time in working these areas.

Lack of market segmentation

Communicating to everyone, in an undifferentiated way, is a mistake that should not be practiced, especially since the current consumer is increasingly informed and demanding. Starting a business without knowing who your target audience is and without knowing their main features and needs can be a real waste of time. As good as your business is, not everyone will need it, so you’ll be spending resources communicating with people who don’t need your product or service. So you should target your audience according to their main characteristics, so you can communicate in a personalized way with each type of person. In this way, it will be easier to reach people who really need you!

 

Extra tip: Business happens at a very fast pace and it is essential that you know what is happening in your company to make the most appropriate decisions for your business. Download our e-book and find how a BAM tool can help you!

5 Netflix series that all managers should see

Netflix has conquered fans worldwide and is undoubtedly a great platform for moments of relaxation. However, even in leisure time it is possible to learn and there are series that teach us true lessons about management and leadership. In today’s article, we present 5 Netflix series mandatory for managers!

The Office

This comedy series is a kind of documentary about a company that sells paper. Company manager Michael Scout thinks that everyone loves him, but his colleagues have a different idea. In fact, Michael Scout doesn’t have any kind of talent to relate to people, much less to coordinate a team. He ends up wondering why his classmates never have fun in their workplace, considering that it is a “dream job”. The series focuses on the concepts of leadership, showing us what not to do when we are in a leadership position. You can see this series in the Netflix catalog and have fun while learning important lessons about leadership and team management!

House of Cards

Surely you’ve heard of this famous Netflix series. The series shows us Frank Underwood, an unscrupulous deputy of the United States Democratic Party. Throughout the episodes we have revealed his ways to achieve, at any cost, an increasingly strategic position in the world of politics. We have learned in this series that we must treat our subordinates with respect and that to win we must always be one step ahead, anticipating the enemy’s moves and knowing our opponents well.

Breaking Bad

Walter White is a chemistry professor who discovers an incurable disease. Knowing that the end is near, he decides to do everything he can to leave his family in a good financial position. Walter thus becomes Heisenberg, a powerful drug dealer. What to get out of this Netflix series for your business? The most important lesson is that the secret to success is to truly enjoy what you do. We also learned that image is very important in business, and Walter also teaches us valuable lessons about negotiating!

Mad Men

This series takes place in the 60’s in New York, and shows us the daily life of Don Drapper, a creative director. We are revealed the world of advertising at that time, as well as the changes it has undergone throughout the season. The series also focuses on the personal lives of the characters, where we see a struggle for power and several moments of frustration. Mad Men shows us a fair and intelligent leader and a timid and quiet secretary who manages to reach a position of power. It is a very interesting series because it shows us that the capacity for innovation is fundamental in more troubled times and that business opportunities should be taken advantage of. Mad Men is especially suitable for marketing managers.

Dr. House

Gregory House is everything a leader should not be. He is a respected physician who is willing to do anything to diagnose the rarer and more complicated diseases that his patients present. Without respecting professional ethics, Dr. House is able to invade his patients’ home without authorization. He is an antisocial person and treats all his subordinates badly, eventually being hated by his team. So why is Dr. House on this list? Despite his complicated temperament Dr. House doesn’t follow the obvious path: he questions everything and looks for the best solution in all cases. It also shows us that a leader must constantly challenge the abilities of each member of the team, because only in this way can you keep them motivated and committed to doing better and better. Finally, Dr. House shows us that it is not necessary to waste time with formalisms, focusing only on what really matters!

 

Have you ever seen any of these series? Do you have other suggestions for important series for managers? Share your opinion with us!